Control via the DJI GO mobile app (compatible with both iOS and Android devices)

DJI Phantom 3 will deliver an excellent performance when the Follow Me functionality is engaged. The drone uses Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) to do accurate positioning in the Follow Me mode. Because of this system, the drone will remain hovering at the same position in the air and having the camera follow/track a subject.

DJI Phantom 3 Standard, Advanced or Professional?

The technology is available in all three of the DJI Phantom 3 models – standard, advanced and professional. The Standard is the cheapest of the three models, and the main difference between them is the quality of the camera.

Make no mistake, the camera on the DJI Phantom 3 Standard is very good, with crystal clear footage, but professionals in the field and commercial users might want the best available, and then the Advanced and Professional provide a bit more.

Great for Beginners

DJI Phantom 3 has follow me technology that’s incredibly user-friendly and great for beginners. The controls of the Phantom 3 are also intuitive and easy to master.

Everything about the drone is constructed with beginners in mind, and there has been a very successful effort to make everything about the DJI Phantom 3 very accessible and easy for new drone users.

Follow Me is just one of the cool functionalities that DJI Phantom 3 features, you also get intelligent modes like Waypoints (a feature that records a certain flight path), Point of Interest (automatically revolving around an object or a subject), Home Lock (all flight controls are relative to the pilot’s position) and Course Lock (all flight controls are locked in relationship to the current course).

– Outstanding Tech –

The newly released DJI Phantom 4 lives up to the hype. The flight time is extended to 28 minutes, which is almost unheard of for a prosumer drone. It also comes with an advanced form of obstacle avoidance, which can be very useful in certain environments when you are using the follow me mode on the drone. It is also fast, 20 m/s vs 16 m/s of the Phanom 3 Standard and Advanded/Professional.

Weight of 1380 grams

Maximum ascend speed of six meters per second and maximum descend speed of four meters per second

Obstacle Avoidance

The biggest difference between Phantom 3 and Phantom 4 is that the newer model comes equipped with an intelligent camera. It can automatically produce seamless tracking shots, it can fly around obstacles and it can react to the specifics of the environment.

The obstacle avoidance can be a huge benefit when using the follow me mode, and this ability sets the Phantom 4 apart from most of the drones on this list.

The Follow Me mode is similar to what DJI Phantom 3 can do.

One of the biggest benefit of the commercial drone Phantom 4 is the increased flight time that enables the camera to track a subject for longer and create more pictures or a longer video clip.

3. 3DR Solo Drone Quadcopter

– Use with GoPro –

The Solo from 3DR is a drone for GoPro and it is marketed as the worlds first smart drone.

Advertised as “the first drone with a brain,” 3DR Solo is powered by twin computers for a more intelligent performance. It also features incredibly intuitive controls, making it perfect for the newbies looking for an easy to use follow me drone.

The 3DR Solo specs include the following:

Weight of 1500 grams (it increases to 1800 grams through the addition of gimbal and a GoPro camera)

Maximum ascend speed of 10 meters per second

Maximum speed in the air of 89 kilometers per hour

Flight time of 25 minutes

Maximum payload of 420 grams

Battery charging time of approximately 1.5 hours

Solo has several intelligent control modes, the Follow Me mode, Orbit, Cable Cam and Selfie.

The Solo claimed to be the world’s first smart drone. And it undeniable has some very cool features that makes it popular with both commercial users and regular users.

The intelligent computer system allows for angle, distance and perspective changes while the drone is in flight. The result is a more detailed clip that features smooth transitions and movement.

4. DJI Mavic Pro

– Foldable Outstanding Tech –

The Mavic Pro is DJI:s first foldable drone, and while being small and easy to carry it still has the exciting tehcnoilogy and key features of most of the bigger Phantoms.

Portability is what makes the Mavic Pro stand out. But that is not all it offers, it also has some really awesome functions, like follow me mode, dronie by gesture and obstacle avoidance.

Key Specs:

Flight Time: 27 min

Speed: 65 km/h

Control Range: 7 km

Gimbal: 3-axis

Camera/Video: 12 MP / 4K

The DJI Mavic Pro is an awesome drone that can follow you, with ground breaking features, and an outstanding flight time. Since it is so easy to bring with you, this is an excellent choice for shooting sports, and extreme sports.

5. 3D Robotics 3DR IRIS+ Quadcopter

– Use with GoPro –

The 3DR IRIS+ is the predecessor to the SOLO, and you can get it a bit cheaper than the SOLO. It comes without a camera but the quadcopter is compatible with GoPro equipment.

Specs:

Maximum ascend speed of 10 meters per second

Maximum speed in the air of approximately 25 meters per second

Payload of 400 grams

Flight time of up to 22 minutes

Operating range of 1,000 meters

Integrated GPS system with a manometer

Integrated GoPro camera mount featuring a vibration dampener

Battery charging time of approximately one hour

IRIS+ features an advanced Follow Me mode and all of the parameters can be set through a tablet. It’s also compatible with any GPS-enabled Android device. Apart from following a subject, the smart technology controls the gimbal to reduce shakiness and produce steady, smooth shots.

The smart technology of the IRIS+ enables the drone to keep the subject being followed in the center of the frame at all times and it is ideal for outdoor sports and extreme adventure enthusiasts.

One small shortcoming to keep in mind is that the drone doesn’t have the capability to go around obstacles. When the Follow Me mode is enabled, the course chosen will have to be relatively free from tall obstacles that the drone could potentially bump into.

6. Hubsan H501S X4 Brushless FPV Ready to Fly Quadcopter

– Best Budget Follow Drone –

This GPS-enabled quadcopter is designed for the needs of beginners in the exciting world of follow me drones. It is also much more affordable than some of the other drones in this list, which makes it a great starting drone for first-time pilots.

Hubsan H501S X4 has:

Flight control distance of 300 meters

Maximum flight time of 20 minutes

Battery charging time of 150 minutes

5.8G wireless video transmission

Built-in HD camera (1280x720p)

Automatic return to home function

Six-axis gyro

Weight of the quadcopter (battery included) is 410 grams

The built-in GPS system enables the quadcopter to follow a subject around. The feature can be enabled when both the quadcopter and the transmitter sync with at least six satellites. This is a safety measure that’s needed to keep the quadcopter properly positioned at all times.

7. AirDog Auto-Follow Drone

– Great for Downhill and Water Sports –

Follows You Downhill

The AirDog has a Follow Terrain feature, and can follow you up and down in altitude. This is great when skiing, snowboarding or any other sports going down a hill.

To my knowledge none of the other drones on this list has the capability of following down in altitude, the DJI Phantom 4 and DJI Mavic Pro can only follow you up in altitude, which is not all that useful skiing downhill.

Waterproof Control

If you want a drone that follows you surfing, water-skiing, or enjoying other forms of water sports, this might be your best bet.

Although the AirDog is not officially waterproof, according to reports you can dump it in the water without problems.

The wrist controller is waterproof, so you can control it while you are on the water, surfing, skiing etc.

Another option for water sports would be the Lily drone, which is supposed to be waterproof, but at the time of writing it is not yet shipping, and I dont yet know the price.

AirDog carries a higher price tag than most other drones on this list, but if you will be going downhill or doing lots of water activities it is worth it.

The AirDog was launched after the completion of a successful crowdfunding campaign, and it’s especially created for the needs of extreme sports and outdoor adventure enthusiasts.

AirDog Auto-Follow Drone is foldable and very small, which gives it competitive advantage over the other follow drones.

Weight of 1,980 grams

Maximum speed in the air of 68 kilometers per hour

18 minutes of flight time

Wind resistance for air currents having speed of up to 14 meters per second

When it comes to the Follow Me feature, AirDog is capable of doing two things. It can stay behind and capture the action or go in front of the subject.

There’s a wearable device included in the kit that’s used to control the drone.

With the press of a button, you can send AirDog to the starting location. The drone will land and wait for you to pick it up in the end of the adventure.

AirDog has Ground Collision Avoidance, but I do not think that includes obstacle avoidance, but they are working on a community driven obstacle avoidance solution that will be software based. It will be available as an upgrade later on.

Follow Me Functionality

When it comes to the Follow Me functionality, it’s once again based on GPS positioning. Keep in mind that Ghost 2.0 doesn’t have an obstacle sensor, which means you should use it in an open area. There’s a G BOX that the subject should wear at all times, allowing for accurate tracking.

“No Fault” Accident Protection

The Ghost drone has a really good warranty program. They will repair or replace your drone three times as long as the warranty of one year is running, it will be free of charge, and for any reason. They also cover all the shipping costs.

9. Staaker

Specs

Use with GoPro Hero 3 3+ 4 or 5 Black

Flight time: 30 minutes

Foldable will fit into small backpack

The Staaker is developed in Norway, and is an exciting new edition to the world of follow drones. Just like the AirDog it uses a tracker that you wear, and that the Staaker will automatically follow.
Here are the specs:

Weight of 1,6 kg

Maximum speed in the air of 80 kilometers per hour

30 minutes of flight time

Waterproof tracker and weatherproof drone

Control range of 500 meters

3-axis gimbal to stabilize video

The drone has several different Follow Me modes, and you need to wear the Staaker tracker device.

You can also control the height of the Staaker and the closeness of the Staaker to the tracker with it.

Altitude Follow

In the Follow Me Mode, most drones stay at a set altitude, and this altitude will not change regardless of the altitude changes of the subject they follow. So if you are going downhill most drones will stay at the same height and film. If you are going uphill they might crash against the hill.

Some drones are equipped with something called “Terrain Follow”. This feature allows the drone to adjust its altitude while it follows its subject.

The DJI Phantom 4 can follow its target up a hill, and adjust the altitude while moving. However going down a hill the height will probably need stick input.

The AirDog can follow and adjust its altitude going downhill and uphill, making it the perfect choice for actions sports like skiing or snowboarding downhill. This feature can be switched on or off, depending on your needs.

Using the Follow Me Mode

Keep in mind that using the Follow Me mode is usually a bit more challenging than what’s presented in ads.

GPS tracking leaves some margin for error. You should probably get started in a larger open space. Doing a few video clips and checking whether the subject is positioned centrally will give you a better idea about the accuracy and the adjustments that will have to be made.

Regardless of the fact that the drones require no control in the follow me mode, it’s still a good idea to go through the manual and make sure that you stick to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

There could be some specific adjustments to make in the beginning of the flight that will maximize accuracy and the clarity of the shots.

Follow me drones present you with an awesome way to make action footage of your adventure, whether you are skiing, surfing, kiteboarding, snowboarding, cycling, running or just shooting the action at the skate-park.

Comments

What about attaching the transmitter or whatever it will follow on a 1/8 scale RC 4×4? This will decide if I buy this as that is my application for this drone…Just want to make sure as it goes upto 60MPH on or off road

Follow me mode doesn’t use a controller right? Because when you described the Lily Drone you said it just uses the Tracker and that there is no controller required. Does this mean the others use a controller for follow me?

Also I have seen that some of the follow me functions on these drones do not follow you down in altitude (e.g. skiing down a hill) they just go flat and eventually lose sight of you. Which ones follow you down the hill well?

Depends on the drone. You can use Active Track on the DJI Phantom 4 and DJI Mavic Pro. Then they will follow you without a control.
AirDog uses the AirLeash control, it is waterproof and you wear it on your wrist. This means that you can control the AirDog while surfing etc

AirDog will also follow you down a hill very well, it has a follow terrain feature, that will follow up and down in altitude.

To my knowledge, the others will not automatically follow down. DJI Phantom 4 and Mavic Pro will follow upwards, but seem to requite manual input to go down.

I think the AirDog is superior for downhill sports, such as skiing and snowboarding.

The Parrot Bebop 2 will follow or track you in any position and any direction (including up and down) completely hands free. It has the best performing follow/track function of any drone currently available.

Not sure why the Parrot Bebop 2 is not mentioned in this list. It has arguably the best target tracking performance, using a combination of the drone GPS + cell phone GPS, visual imaage tracking, and cell phone barometric data. This means that it will follow or track a subject in any position and will also climb and descend in relation to the subject. Its tracking system works very well, better than some other makes and models costing twice as much.

I’m looking for a camera that can follow contact sports and has a small soft tracking device to allow me to record match I’m playing in and more importantly will return to the take off site before the battery fails.

I have a Staaker, the package come with two batteries. It did claim their flight time for 30 minutes. But my experience is that they only last for about 15 minutes.
The conditions i filmed were with wind speed around 20 knots or under.
At first their technical support team said that quickly ran out of power could be to do with the high wind.
But After a couple occasions of shooting, the batteries operate in less than less time.
Even when just inserted the fully charged battery to the drone, the reading on tracker display showed only 71% of power immediately.
I have the Staaker only for a month, and this seems to be unacceptable for such a quick degrading of battery.
So, i uploaded all my flight log to them and asked for diagnosis.
But after one month past, I still receive no reply at all.
I think your review is good, and it will be even better that if you could also review each brands’ technical support.

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